Fire Australia magazine issue four 2024

AUSSIES ABROAD

CELEBRATING AND CONNECTING THE SECTOR

ROBB WEBB CEO, AFAC

As most sectors wind down toward the end of the year, we acknowledge that many fire and emergency service professionals are now entering their busiest period. We are grateful for their continued commitment to protect communities from the impacts of natural hazards, and we recognise the important role they play, especially over the summer months. While emergency incidents are more common during the higher-risk weather season, emergency management is a yearround effort. AFAC is deeply invested in supporting our members to come together and build their knowledge and enhance their ways of working to improve community resilience. This collaborative capability is seen in some of the national projects and initiatives that AFAC manages on behalf of the sector, but equally important is the one-on-one connection that our members gain through our Collaboration Model.

AFAC is proud to act as a conduit for the emergency management sector, and our many touchpoints into the work of our members provides us with a broad view of the innovative work underway.

Each year, AFAC produces the Strategic Directions Achievement Report to document progress across the sector aligned to the six strategic directions for fire and emergency services in Australia and New Zealand. The result is 30 examples of our national capability, spanning community engagement, operational readiness, qualifications and standards, lessons management, research, and disaster recovery. The report is a reflection of the important work of the emergency management sector, and a reminder of why we do the work we do.

Likewise, our annual AFAC25 Conference and Exhibition will return to Perth in August 2025, and once again provide the opportunity to showcase leading research, practice, and tools to support emergency management. Calls for abstracts will open in early 2025, and I encourage you to be part of this important forum.

As our sector continues to expand, and the challenges we face continue to evolve, our members’ continued commitment to collaboration and knowledge sharing is key to a stronger future. We look forward to building upon this further in the new year.

Rob Webb CEO, AFAC

To advertise in Fire Australia, contact: Chris Larsen, magazine@fpaa.com.au FPA Australia, PO Box 1049, Box Hill VIC 3128, Australia

OUR COVER

How do people understand, perceive and use maps during bushfire?

PHOTO: ZAHLIA LIGTHART

ABOUT FIRE AUSTRALIA

IN THIS ISSUE

The AFAC24 Industry Awards

Success at AFAC24

FPA Australia: A year in review

Data without borders

How do people understand, perceive and use maps during bushfire?

Australasia bolsters North American wildfire response

Reflecting on the AFAC Exhibition

AS 1851—what you need to know

“Two worlds collided—and they could never tear us apart … ” 33 Permit condition checks: what you need to know REGULAR FEATURES

News

Perspectives from the sector: 140 years of Fire and Rescue NSW

Advocacy corner: FPA Australia advocacy—progress over 2024

Blast from the past

Movers and shakers

Fire Australia is a joint publication of Fire Protection Association Australia and AFAC. We aim to bring the latest news, developments and technical information to the fire protection industry, fire and emergency services organisations, and hazard and emergency management agencies. Fire Australia is produced quarterly and distributed throughout Australia and New Zealand. Editorial submissions and letters

are welcome and can be sent to magazine@fpaa.com.au. For more details on submitting a contribution, please contact the editors.

JOINT EDITORS

CHRIS LARSEN (FPA Australia) Tel +61 0431 900 712 chris.larsen@fpaa.com.au

ALANA BEITZ (AFAC) Tel +61 3 9418 5233 alana.beitz@afac.com.au

in good faith but Fire Australia

and its agents do not warrant the accuracy or currency of any information or data contained herein. Fire Australia magazine and its agents do not accept any responsibility or

with regard to the material in this publication. It is not possible for FPA Australia to ensure that advertisements published in

and the provisions which apply to advertising. Responsibility lies with the person, company or agency submitting

copyright. This publication may not be reproduced in printed or electronic form without permission. Contact +61 3 8892 3131

NEW AND REVISED AFAC DOCTRINE NOW ONLINE

AFAC has released new and revised doctrines to support the fire and emergency services sector. AFAC doctrines are evidence-based and vested as the official view by the AFAC National Council. The latest updates to the doctrine library include:

◆ Community safety messages and considerations for lithiumion batteries. This guideline provides nationally agreed community messaging on safety considerations for lithium-ion batteries. These messages provide communities with best practice information and advice on fire safety around devices containing these batteries.

◆ Community messaging for the use of the NBN in emergency events. As a result of the mixed technology approach to the implementation of the NBN in Australia, there is no clear guidance for what the community can expect in an emergency event. This guideline is simple, and nationally consistent for effective messaging to the community.

◆ Managing tree hazards. Falling trees, limbs, and branches pose a potential health and safety risk for emergency service responders and personnel undertaking prescribed burning activities. AFAC has developed this safe work guideline to support a uniform approach to managing tree hazards.

◆ Class A recycled water for firefighting purposes. This is an informed stance on whether the use of Class A recycled water poses a health risk to firefighters and, consequently, whether it should be used for firefighting purposes.

The AFAC Collaboration Groups develop doctrine that is relevant, timely, and nationally applicable, supporting agency interoperability. AFAC’s full suite of doctrine is available online: afac.com.au/insight/doctrine

NEW CPR REQUIREMENTS FOR WA ELECTRICIANS

The WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) has amended regulations to require licensed electricians to complete a CPR course every three years.

The requirements do not apply to those holding a restricted electrical licence or to pre-apprentices and apprentices with an electrical training licence.

DEMIRS will be conducting audits, with those failing to comply potentially issued infringement notices with a fine of $500.

For more detail, go to: commerce.wa.gov.au/announcements/

NEW CONSTRUCTION WATCHDOG IN VICTORIA

The Victorian Government has amalgamated several authorities into a new watchdog to oversee building and plumbing industries in the state.

The Building & Plumbing Commission brings together:

„ Victorian Building Authority (VBA)

„ Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV)

„ the Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) function of the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA).

The Victorian Government said the new regulator would deliver stronger protections for consumers and create a one-stop-shop to regulate the state’s building and plumbing industries.

The regulator’s new powers include additional rectification orders, notification requirements, and the imposition of a strata bond on developers or mid- to high-rise complexes.

The new regulator is expected to stand up in the first half of 2025, once the changes progress through Parliament.

DUKE OF ED PROMOTES RESPONDER INITIATIVE

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Australia has called on state and federal governments to back a plan to deploy young adults for the upcoming disaster season through its Emergency Responder Corps (ERC) initiative.

ERC encourages school leavers to undertake emergency responder training through existing agencies while being accredited for a Silver or Gold Duke of Ed level.

“The Emergency Responder Corps would then deliver a reliable volunteer recruitment pipeline of school leavers for emergency service agencies, which would substantially and sustainably increase the number of trained emergency responder volunteers across Australia,” said Duke of Ed Australia CEO Peter Kaye.

“Our young, fit volunteers are ready, willing, and able to assist local communities in disaster response, recovery, and resilience to make up for the massive shortfall in volunteers that was highlighted in the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s Disaster Resilience.”

According to Mr Kaye, investment in youth engagement programs to bolster the volunteer workforce was a recommendation of the Inquiry.

NEW REPORTS FROM HFSCA BUILD THE CASE FOR HOME SPRINKLERS

The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition Australia (HFSCA) has released two new reports into home fire sprinkler systems:

„ A study by Arup into the efficacy of the proposed residential fire sprinkler system for Class 1 homes (HFS102). As part of this system, it is proposed that the minimum design performance of the HFS102 home fire sprinkler system is for the operation of the most hydraulically disadvantaged single (one) sprinkler head, operating at a flow rate and residual pressure necessary to achieve the desired sprinkler coverage in accordance with the sprinkler head’s listing

„

A paper by Paul Funnell that assesses whether the automatic fire sprinklers, FPAA101D/HFS101D Technical Specification, and HFS102 Design meet the requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC) Volume 3, Plumbing Code and AS 3500 for Class 1 buildings.

These reports help HFSCA build the case, and inform consumers and industry, about the life-saving potential of home wfire sprinkler protection.

HFSCA is a partnership of AFAC, the National Council for fire and emergency services, and Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) representing the fire protection industry. The coalition is also supported by industry partners.

To download the reports, go to: homefiresprinklers.org.au/resources/research

COOL SUBURBS TOOL ADDRESSES HEAT RESILIENCE

The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) has released Australia’s first heat resilience assessment tool ‘Cool Suburbs NSW’, intended to help architects, developers, and town planners build heat resilience into homes, workplaces, towns, and cities.

WSROC President, Councillor Barry Calvert, said: “Cool Suburbs NSW is a practical, science-backed tool to help industry and government make informed decisions about managing heat impacts … through state-of-the-art urban design.

“Cool Suburbs NSW is available online, free of charge, can provide a star rating for urban design, and can be used for a range of scales from single buildings to large-scale masterplans.”

The tool was developed in collaboration with a panel of leading scientists and experts from government and the development industry.

The tool demonstrates how to maximise urban cooling including orientation, airflow, permeability, shading, open space, and water. It also provides developers, planners, architects, and builders with guidance for how each measure can be achieved.

Additionally, it outlines measures to support community heat resilience, including provision of drinking water, back-up power for community hubs, and community information and signage.

Developments are awarded ‘credits’ for the cooling measures they incorporate, culminating in a ‘Cool Suburbs Score’ that shows how well

designers have delivered heat-resilient urban design.

Credits are awarded for:

„ Urban Design to ensure urban layout supports passive cooling

„ Cool Streets that contribute to creating ‘cool lines’ in urban landscapes

„ Cool Parks that create cool outdoor spaces

„ Cool Homes that promote passive design principles for greater resilience to high temperatures

„ Cool Buildings including workplaces, community hubs and places of worship

„ Innovative New Technologies that advance urban heat performance.

For more information go to: coolsuburbs.au

NEW SENSOR PROJECT TARGETS BUSHFIRE FUEL

Scientists are trialling cost-effective sensors to allow bushfire managers to monitor the moisture content of bushfire fuel in real time.

Dr Nicholas Wilson from the Bushfire Research Centre of Excellence at the Australian National University (ANU) is leading the Real Time Fuel Moisture Monitoring Using Low-cost Internet of Things Devices project.

“Fire agencies currently monitor the moisture content of bushfire fuel using direct measurement, which often involves considerable travel time, and results in limited location data,” Dr Wilson said.

“The ANU’s Bushfire Research Centre of Excellence has developed prototype low- cost devices for bushfire smoke detection, which have temperature and relative humidity sensors that can estimate the moisture content of bushfire fuel in real time.

“These will be trialled as part of this

project to better understand the challenges to their operational deployment, and how they can complement satellite-derived fuel moisture monitoring.”

Dr Wilson said while there are several solutions to this problem, cost and interpretation are consistent barriers to fire management agencies.

The project is a partnership with Western Sydney University, industry partner Indicium Dynamics, and government partners Forestry Corporation of NSW and ACT Parks and Conservation Service.

The co-investigator on the project is Associate Professor Rachael Nolan, a research scientist from the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment at Western Sydney University.

The project received a NSW Smart Sensing Network Grand Challenge Fund grant earlier in 2024.

IKNIFE PROJECT TO ADVANCE BURNS SURGERY

Doctor Angus Barber will present his research on REIMS technology in burns surgery at the Fire Australia 2025 conference.

He is the inaugural FPA Australia Masters Scholar, a partnership with the Fiona Wood Foundation to advance treatment for burns.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Dr Barber completed his internship at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) in 2022 and, in 2023, was selected to complete his residency as a member of the Basic Surgical Program at RPH.

Dr Barber’s Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (REIMS)— iKnife project intends to improve patient outcomes during surgical debridement to remove dead, infected, or diseased tissue.

The procedure requires the ability to differentiate healthy and damaged tissue, relying on the subjective judgment of the surgeon, which can lead to inconsistencies in patient outcomes. REIMS technology analyses the ‘smoke’ produced during surgical excision, providing real-time data on the tissue’s status directly to the surgeon. This allows for precise removal of damaged tissue, improving scar outcomes and recovery times, and reducing the necessity for additional surgeries, benefitting the patient and reducing healthcare costs.

PHOTO:

Angus Barber

FLAIM UPDATES SIMULATOR TECHNOLOGY

FLAIM Systems has updated its technology to allow its simulators to network and combine multiple users in a virtual environment.

Demonstrating the upgrade at the AFAC24 conference earlier this year, the FLAIM Trainer simulates the physical response of an operational fire hose and replicates the heat of a fire through a thermal vest.

The system is intended to replicate the stress and uncertainty of fire scenarios with a ‘real feel’ experience to enhance firefighter readiness. FLAIM Systems says 2000 hours of annual training through one system saves the equivalent of 20 million litres of water and 27 tonnes of carbon emissions.

The system can accommodate up to five people in the same virtual

environment, allowing the delivery of instant command, role-based training facilitated either in-person or remotely, locally or offshore.

A 20 m wi-fi range provides scope for trainees to roam around a large virtual environment.

FLAIM’s 50 training scenarios are mapped to national standards and allow the use of a range of suppressant types.

“With FLAIM, fire safety training teams can now facilitate coordinated defensive and offensive attacks on a fire, and can pause any scenario to provide feedback to the trainee— maintaining a positive learning environment,” said FLAIM Systems CEO Simon Miller.

SIEMENS ACQUIRES DANFOSS

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has agreed to acquire Danfoss Fire Safety, a subsidiary of Denmark-based Danfoss Group, which specialises in fire suppression technology. The acquisition is intended to boost growth and improve Siemens’ fire safety portfolio.

Danfoss Fire Safety will report into Siemens’ Buildings Business Unit, which is part of Smart Infrastructure, bringing into the portfolio its high-pressure, non-polluting water mist technology.

Since 2019, Danfoss Fire Safety has operated as a fully owned, non-core business of Danfoss Group, and currently employs 125 people. It will continue to operate as a separate legal entity. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, with closure expected by the end of calendar year 2024.

NEW PUA TRAINING RESOURCES

AFAC has developed four new PUA learner resources to support the delivery of key Public Safety Training Package units of competency for the Incident Management Team roles of Control, Intelligence, and Planning. The resources are now available through the AFAC Shop and include:

„ PUAOPE012 Control a Level 1 incident. This learner resource covers the knowledge and skills needed to be an Incident Controller at a Level 1 incident. An Incident Controller is the individual responsible for the management of all incident control activities across a whole incident. Level 1 incidents are generally characterised by being able to be resolved using local or initial response resources only.

„ PUAOPE018 Control a Level 2 incident. This learner resource covers the skills and knowledge needed to become the Incident Controller at a Level 2 incident. An Incident Controller is the individual responsible for the management of all incident control activities across a whole incident. Level 2 incidents are larger and more complex, where reliable information is often sparse, uncertain, or incomplete.

„ PUAOPE004 Manage the intelligence function at an incident. This learner resource covers the skills and knowledge necessary to become an Intelligence Officer within an Incident Management Team. Additional material is provided in this resource that underpins the performance of the role of an Intelligence Officer, such as leadership and decision-making.

„ PUAOPE025 Manage planning for a complex incident. This learner resource covers the skills and knowledge needed to become a Planning Officer within an Incident Management Team. Additional material is provided in this resource that underpins the performance of the role of a Planning Officer, such as leadership, decision-making, and human factors.

These new resources have been mapped to the transitioned units of competency and have undergone substantial development and content checking by subject matter experts.

The AFAC range of training resources is available online at the AFAC Shop: afac.com.au/auxiliary/shop

For more information, please contact learninganddevelopment@afac.com.au

MAJOR INCIDENTS REPORT

Map of 30 incidents captured in the Major Incidents Report 2023–24

SOURCE: AIDR

SFPE FOUNDATION AWARDS RESEARCH GRANT FOR ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM HAZARDS

The SFPE Foundation has announced funding for research into battery energy storage system (BESS) hazards, exploring how these fires and related

The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR) has released the Major Incidents Report for 2023–24

This eighth Major Incidents Report provides an annual record of major incidents that have been identified as significant by the emergency management sector during the 2023–24 financial year. This report identifies 30 major incidents, with five case studies selected for in-depth discussion:

„ South West region bushfires, Queensland

„ Barkly Fire Complex, NT

hazards compare to other industrial and storage fires.

The SFPE Foundation is a charitable organisation pursuing scientific understanding of fire and its interaction with the environment.

Funding for the research is from the Grand Challenges Initiative, and will consist of a literature review, identification of fire and

„ South-East Queensland severe storms, Queensland

„ Heatwave, WA

„ Catastrophic fire danger and subsequent impacts, Victoria.

The Major Incidents Report includes key observations to identify and analyse recurring and emerging insights across hazards, sectors, and jurisdictions.

Explore the Major Incidents Report on the AIDR Knowledge Hub: knowledge. aidr.org.au/resources/major-incidentsreport

explosion hazards for BESS technologies, a comparison of BESS versus industrial fire and explosion hazards, and identifying mitigating technologies and approaches

More information: sfpe.org/foundation/home

Barkly Fire Complex, NT

SMOKE ALARM FOR THE DEAF COMMUNITY

Brooks has launched a smoke alarm product to improve safety in homes of people with hearing impairments.

The ‘VISALERTPLUS’ device has a flashing mode to alert people who are hard of hearing, or can be set to an emergency luminaire mode and placed above doorways to guide residents to safety.

Brooks CEO Cathy Brand said one in six Australians are impacted by hearing loss, and 53% of those do not wear hearing aids or cochlear implants while asleep.

About half of the Australian population are also concerned their relatives could not escape a house fire in time, with low mobility and hearing impairments at the top of the list of barriers to escape.

COLLABORATION AT THE CORE OF INAUGURAL

AFAC

CHAIR FORUM

AFAC hosted its first Chair Forum on 25–26 July 2024. The two-day event provided professional development for Chairs of the AFAC Collaboration Groups, and an opportunity for all Chairs and AFAC Council sponsors to collaborate and strengthen the connection with the AFAC Council.

The inaugural event was created in response to the AFAC Collaboration Review that found AFAC members wanted to strengthen connections, and share work and support across Collaboration Groups, to drive better outcomes and increase the effectiveness of the role of the Chair.

The program’s first day focused on the Ways of Working principles—we represent; we collaborate; we innovate; we respect; and

we deliver—through presentations, group activities, and reflections. On day two Chairs were invited to participate in training that included meeting management to ensure an effective use of time and derive valuable outcomes.

AFAC will host the Chair Forum annually to maintain and strengthen collaboration and communication between the Collaboration Group Chairs and AFAC Council. Participants in this year’s forum are encouraged to provide feedback as well as share what they would like to see in future Chair Forums.

Learn more about AFAC Collaboration Groups: afac.com.au/teams

ARENA: 10 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS

Established in 2014 by the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC), the ARENA system has set the standard for excellence in aerial operations, supporting fire and emergency responses across Australia and New Zealand.

ARENA was originally created as an aircraft registry but, over the past decade, has developed into a complete management system. ARENA has delivered success in enhancing firefighting capabilities, offering efficiency and safety through reliable information and useful tools.

ARENA’s system includes a comprehensive registry of aircraft and equipment, real-time tracking and management of aircraft, as well as robust tools for strategic planning, preparation, data management, and reporting. These tools facilitate coordinated responses, streamlined processes, detailed assessments, and protocols, to uphold the highest standards of compliance and operational integrity.

Additionally, ARENA prioritises safety measures and protocols to safeguard personnel and resources during operations, and assists in simplifying administrative tasks by having all relevant information in one location.

“Ten years of ARENA is an outstanding achievement for those with the insight who dreamt of a better way and to those who continue to evolve it to meet the future needs,” said Sue Boschen of AGAIR. “ARENA is a worldleading package that has evolved from an aircraft and pilot registry to assisting with accounting, tendering, safety management, and exceptional cost control for both member states and us.”

ARENA is managed by NAFC on behalf of its members and is constantly looking for ways to improve the system to help support the sector where possible—aircraft operators and flight crews are invited to register and enter data about their organisations, aircraft, and flight crews.

To find out more, visit nafc.org.au/ arena/ or contact arena@nafc.org.au

Brooks CEO Cathy Brand.

AFAC Community Engagement Technical Group Chair Isaia Piho welcomed attendees to the AFAC Chair Forum.

PHOTO: AFAC

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

THE AFAC24 INDUSTRY AWARDS

During AFAC24 powered by INTERSCHUTZ, the Industry Awards ceremony took place at the ICC Sydney. The AFAC Industry Awards recognise the brilliant work of the member network and deliver on the AFAC vision of connected and capable emergency management.

2024’s Industry Award

Congratulations to this year’s Industry Award winners.

Fostering Resilient Communities Award

Melinda McDonald from Fire and Rescue NSW won the Fostering Resilient Communities Award, which aligns with Strategic Direction 1, ‘Supporting resilient communities through risk reduction’.

Melinda was recognised for her hard work on the culturally inclusive community risk reduction project, which highlights the need for proactive, evidence-based, community risk reduction solutions for culturally diverse communities. Melinda was integral in identifying the need for culturally inclusive risk reduction strategies and taking action to secure funding and internal stakeholder support to pursue meaningful and sustainable solutions.

Response Capability Award

The judging panel had difficulty determining one winner for this category and, after careful consideration, it was decided there would be two winners in 2024.

Paul McQueen ESM from NSW State Emergency Service, and the Hume Regional (Victoria) Emergency Management Planning Committee won the Response Capability Award, which aligns with Strategic Direction 2, ‘Providing a trusted response’.

Paul was recognised for leading the creation and implementation of the NSW State Emergency Service Flood Rescue Training Delivery Team. The Training Delivery Team tackles the need for ‘surge’ training support and delivery of critical flood rescue courses for NSW State Emergency Service members and multi-agency partners, aligning to the AFAC Independent Review, internal After-Action Review, and Flood Inquiry Report.

The Hume Regional (Victoria) Emergency Management Planning

Committee was recognised for the creation of an Emergency Management Liaison Officer (EMLO) training program. Following the devastating 2022 floods, the committee identified a capability gap among government and nongovernment organisation agencies during major emergencies. The training program was created to enhance agency readiness and confidence in disaster response and recovery efforts.

Data in Action Award

This award category also featured two winners. Congratulations to Kelley Toy and Ashleigh Romanos from Fire and Emergency NZ, and Dean Sheehan from Sustainable Timber Tasmania for winning the Data in Action Award, which aligns with Strategic Direction 3, ‘Using credible and timely information and data’.

Kelley and Ashleigh developed a vision to keep wildfire risk top of mind for New Zealanders and foreign visitors by integrating Fire and Emergency’s data to make Fire Danger part of the

weather. In the same way that everyone checks the weather forecast before planning an outdoor activity, everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand can look at the Fire Danger forecast before doing anything that could generate heat or sparks outdoors.

Dean played a crucial role in the development of the ‘digital forest’ environmental monitoring solution which significantly improved Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s fire detections and response times. Sustainable Timber Tasmania partnered with Indicium Dynamics to make this possible.

People First Award

The People First Award is proudly sponsored by Stewart & Heaton Clothing, and this year Inspector Paula Douglas from Queensland Fire Department won the award, which aligns with Strategic Direction 4, ‘Safe, capable and diverse workforce’.

Paula was recognised for leading the initiative of building a network for women across the fire and rescue service where they can access support, mentoring, and guidance, and have their questions and concerns heard. This includes the implementation of a girls’ camp that encourages young women to consider roles across the Queensland Fire Department.

Knowledge Innovation Award

The Knowledge Innovation Award, which aligns with Strategic Direction 5, ‘Informed by knowledge, innovation and research,’ was awarded to Dr Kamarah Pooley from Fire and Rescue NSW for leading two evidence-based projects.

Project one, the youth fire intervention program and resources, aims to undertake collaborative research to develop, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based youth fire intervention program. Project two, the implementation of an evidence-based, targeted approach to prevention and preparedness, looks at an updated approach to identifying which segmentation types and groups from Australian households are more likely to experience a structure fire with adverse outcomes.

Effective Governance Award

Daniel Austin from NSW State Emergency Service won the Effective Governance Award, which aligns with Strategic Direction 6, ‘Effective and transparent governance’.

Daniel was recognised for his hard work assisting the NSW State Emergency Service in the establishment of a Flood Rescue Enhancement program to facilitate implementation of the recommendations from the 2022 NSW floods. Since establishment, the agency has seen increased efficiency and effectiveness of flood rescue response.

Laurie Lavelle Achiever of the Year Award

In addition to awards that line up with AFAC’s six Strategic Directions, an achiever award is presented in honour of AFAC’s inaugural CEO, Laurie Lavelle.

This year, Ruth Harley from Fire Rescue Victoria won the Laurie Lavelle Achiever of the Year Award for providing the agency’s Multicultural Liaison Officers with a coordinated approach to reducing fire risks within multicultural communities using demographic data, her community engagement experience, and longheld networks. Ruth’s work supports exposed and vulnerable communities and improves collaboration across the sector.

AFAC would like to congratulate all the Industry Award winners for their dedication to the fire and emergency management sector.

AFAC CEO Rob Webb awards Ruth Harley, Fire Rescue Victoria, with the 2024 Laurie Lavelle Achiever of the Year Award.

SUCCESS AT AFAC24

The AFAC24 powered by INTERSCHUTZ Conference and Exhibition celebrated its 30th anniversary on 3–6 September at the International Convention Centre Sydney. The event once more incorporated the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference and the Institution of Fire Engineers Australia National Conference.

Over four days, more than 4,500 participants took part in seven diverse streams of presentations and explored the offerings of more than 230 exhibiting enterprises, collectively occupying a vast expanse of 18,000 m2 on the exhibition floor.

Inside the exhibition, delegates could browse the impressive poster display at the AIDR Knowledge Centre, attend live demonstrations at the Demonstration Zone, and listen and connect with presenters at the Solutions Theatre.

The conference commenced with the Research and Innovation Day, highlighted by Andrew Gissing, CEO of Natural Hazards Research Australia, who delivered the opening address.

Dr David Roy, Director at the Center for Global Change and Earth Observations, Michigan State University, followed with a captivating keynote on the emerging role of artificial intelligence for satellite fire monitoring, a case study of the 2023 Maui wildfires, and implications for future satellite wildfire disaster monitoring.

Professor Barbara Norman, Emeritus Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Canberra, followed suit with a presentation on innovative solutions in planning for climate change and risk, and better connecting national policy and local action in Australia and the region to enable more sustainable outcomes.

Following a day of insightful presentations on cutting-edge research and innovation—including from Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer— attendees unwound during a networking event within the exhibition hall, rounding off the Research and Innovation Day.

On the second day, the conference expanded to include the co-located Australian Disaster Resilience Conference and the Institution of Fire Engineers Australia National Conference.

After an illustrious opening ceremony, US Fire Administrator, Dr Lori Moore-Merrell DrPH, MPH delivered a remarkable keynote on transformational leadership and innovation in a world of change.

Douglas D’Antoine, Recovery Executive Officer at the Shire of Derby, West Kimberley, followed with an introspective presentation on recalibrating best practice and Aboriginality, and the Fitzroy Valley Flood Recovery Working Group. These captivating addresses were followed by a divergence of attendees across the seven conference streams.

Once the conference sessions drew to a close, delegates embraced the festive atmosphere of the event’s 30th Anniversary Jubilee Gala Dinner, complete with delectable cuisine,

masquerade performers, dancing, and exquisite views of Darling Harbour.

The third day of the conference kicked off with keynote speeches from notable figures Adjunct Professor Catriona Wallace, Founder of the Responsible Metaverse Alliance and Shark on TV series, Shark Tank Australia, who discussed responsible AI, and Brendan Moon AM, Coordinator-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, who explored disruption as innovation, and designing for risk in Australia.

After another day filled with enriching presentations, the conference concluded with a compelling closing panel discussion that reflected and celebrated the lived experience of emergency services and community members. The panel was moderated by journalist, TV producer, news anchor and MC Jeremy Fernandez, and featured panel members including NSW Surf Life Saving volunteer Reece Dodds, rescuee Adrian Stirling, and NSW Rural Fire Service Inspector Nathan Barnden.

The event ended with the Professional Development Program, offering participants diverse opportunities, including field trips and forums that covered a wide spectrum of topics, ranging from UAV technology, flood impact and rescue, intelligent tools and resilience.

AFAC25 will take place in Perth, with the theme ‘From local to global: leveraging systems, capability and connection’. Abstract submissions will open later this year.

AFAC expresses gratitude to its partners, host agencies, and sponsors for their unwavering support of AFAC24. The full conference proceedings can be accessed at afac.com.au/events/proceedings

Above MC Jeremy Fernandez (left), with featured panel members including NSW Surf Life Saving volunteer Reece Dodds (right), rescuee Adrian Stirling (centre).

PHOTO: AFAC

PHOTO: AFAC

“The

Patrick Markos Sales and Service Technician

DATA WITHOUT BORDERS

‘Data without borders’ is one way to describe the latest Australian bushfire boundaries data service.

SIMON WEBSTER

EMSINA

CLARE BRANDON

National Bushfire Intelligence Capability

The composition of a national bushfire boundaries data layer is a valuable data service for mapping where, when, and how frequently fire has occurred across the Australian landscape.

It is key to understanding in near real time the current impact of bushfires across the nation, identifying regions that may require assistance through the provision of additional resources and that require assistance with recovery, and to inform emerging risk analysis. Additionally, the data can be used to inform monitoring programs and fire behaviour analytics by affecting our assumptions of fuel hazard following bushfire.

The data service provides information about the current (or near real-time) bushfire activity across Australia, accumulating three-hourly snapshots and recording historical bushfire boundaries stretching back as far as the 1890s.

The new products harmonise authoritative bushfire boundaries into standardised national formats that can be used by agencies, agnostic of borders.

Collaboration in action

In the wake of the 2019–2020 Black Summer, the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements was established. The Royal Commission identified the need for a ‘whole-of-nation’, ‘whole-ofgovernment’, and ‘whole-of-society’ approach to natural disasters.

This work is the culmination of just such an effort through the National Bushfire Intelligence Capability (NBIC), led by CSIRO and funded by the Australian Climate Service.

This collaborative output from NBIC involves Geoscience Australia, the Emergency Management Spatial Information Network Australia (EMSINA), and CSIRO. It builds on the early

work of the Bushfire Data Challenges Program for the Australian Research Data Commons.

State and territory data contributions were aggregated, harmonised and distributed through publicly accessible products hosted on the Digital Atlas of Australia.

The challenge of aggregating data feeds from the fire management agencies across Australia is no small undertaking given the variety of technologies, data sources, and operational data management products in use. The combination of these is testament to the constructive and collaborative use of spatial and data technologies to harmonise these into a national standard, to which all fire agencies nationally are now contributing.

Bushfire boundaries data launch

The project team took the opportunity to invite Joe Buffone, Chair of the NBIC Board and Deputy Coordinator- General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to launch the new data service at the AFAC24 powered by INTERSCHUTZ conference.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Buffone acknowledged the work of EMSINA,

Above Joe Buffone, Chair of the NBIC Board and Deputy CoordinatorGeneral of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), launching the bushfire boundaries data service at AFAC24.

PHOTO: PIXEL COLLECTIVE

“Consistency in data and analytics for shared decision-making, and for tactical and operational decision-making, cannot be underestimated.”— Joe Buffone

the states and territories, CSIRO, and Geoscience Australia.

“This is about collaboration across every part of the country,” he said.

“Going forward, data, analytics, and decision support are going to make us respond faster and better.

“Consistency in data and analytics for shared decision-making, and for tactical and operational decisionmaking, cannot be underestimated.”

EMSINA Chair, Simon Webster, said: “The work celebrates the success of EMSINA in bringing together people from different agencies to produce nationally consistent and good outcomes.

“EMSINA has been able to publish a set of standards, highlighting the importance of bringing together stateand territory-based data and working towards a standard so that we can all talk a common language.”

Uses

The national bushfire boundaries data service is shared freely with all sectors of government and community, and this is where the impact of the work is really being demonstrated:

„ Supporting government responses–The data helps the Australian Government assist state and territory agencies in managing bushfires, including integration into the National Joint Common Operating Platform (NJCOP).

„ Cross-jurisdictional information–The data ensures data availability beyond jurisdictional and political boundaries, addressing imminent risks to various regions.

„ National-scale awareness–The data informs those outside the emergency management sector about fire activity on a national scale, including managers of commercial activities and critical infrastructure.

„ Filling data gaps–

The data provides crucial near realtime data between current incident reports and historical records, offering seasonal accumulated products for assessing recent impacts, planning recovery, and understanding large-scale or prolonged events.

In summing up, Mr Buffone said:

“I look forward to the next phase of collaboration from NBIC in producing that shared national picture of bushfire hazard that goes out through states and territories to support communities.”

Access the datasets at: digital.atlas. gov.au/pages/national-bushfire-data

Find out more about EMSINA at: emsina.org

Find out more about the National Bushfire Intelligence Capability at: research.csiro.au/nbic

Above Left to right: Joe Buffone, Chair of the NBIC Board and Deputy CoordinatorGeneral of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Simon Webster, Chair of the Emergency Management Spatial Information Network Australia and Justin Leonard, Bushfire Adaptation Research Lead at CSIRO.

PHOTO:

FPA AUSTRALIA A YEAR IN REVIEW

This year, 2024, marks the second year of delivery for FPA Australia’s Directions 28 strategy, utilising its STARS framework: Skills development, Technical advice, Accreditation and licensing, Representation and advocacy, and Services to members.

FPA Australia reports some key operational successes in FY2023–24, such as:

„ increasing the number of members, with a 90% retention rate

„ improving its accreditation offering, especially in WA

„ expanding the scope of the Registered Training Organisation with four new units and introducing new wet systems training

„ broadening the advocacy and engagement programs, including re-engaging with the NT

„ increasing the line-up of technical committees and releasing new technical documents

„ hosting Australia’s biggest fire industry conference and running the National Fire Protection Month events series.

In addition, the Association made advances in one of its most important activities: its advocacy program.

“At a time when governments across the country are pursuing reforms with potentially significant impact to our industry, member-driven advocacy is an insurance policy against potentially poor regulatory decisions,” said FPA Australia President Mark Potter.

“In 2023–24, our National Advocacy Framework allowed us to intercept potentially hostile planned regulations and liaise with government on the industry’s behalf. We were, and continue to be, in your corner.”

You will find more detail about FPA Australia’s advocacy work in the ‘Advocacy Corner’ section on page 34.

Other key highlights in FPA Australia’s body of work for the year follow.

Membership services

Revised membership structure

FPA Australia engaged with members to begin the process of adapting the membership structure to better suit the industry and accommodate the needs of potential members in adjacent industries.

Systems upgrades

The database was updated to help streamline the experience for members. In addition, the user experience for the Shop was improved to make it easier for members to access products and use discounts, and membership forms were digitised to make it easier for new members to sign up.

Training

Expanded the scope of the RTO FPA Australia’s RTO was approved for an extension to its scope, allowing the Association to add common units to offer for the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) Fire Safety Assessment (FSA) qualified accreditation.

Introduced new wet systems training

The FPA Australia RTO released its wet systems units for enrolment, to sit under the FSA category of FPAS. This allows practitioners to gain qualified accreditation for a number of wet systems units, which were rewritten to ensure they meet the packaging and industry requirements.

Responded to Victorian Building Authority (VBA) requirements

The Routine Servicing of Unpumped Hydrants and Valves course in Victoria was relaunched to meet the VBA’s restricted licensing requirements.

Technical services

Represented industry in standards setting

In 2023–24 FPA Australia continued its important work contributing to the publication of Australian Standards, which provide guidance for practitioners and regulators and provide the community with reassurance. This included facilitating technical experts to sit on Standards Australia committees. In addition, it began the process to advise practitioners on how to

incorporate Australian Standard AS 1851 Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment into NSW, the only jurisdiction yet to implement this standard.

Released new technical documents

Over the year, technical documents were published in the important areas of lithium-ion batteries, external doorways, and firefighting foams.

Expanding the line-up of technical committees

FPA Australia established a new Technical Advisory Committee, TAC/M, which addresses fire-related mechanical standards.

Accreditation, licensing and compliance

Improved accreditation offering

New legislation in WA required building engineers working in the state to register with the Building Services Board—including fire system design engineers. To qualify as a registered building engineering practitioner, candidates must obtain a certificate from an approved assessment entity.

FPA Australia achieved approval to be an assessment entity for the classes of building engineer practitioner, fire systems, technologist and building engineer practitioner, and fire system associate. Members benefit by being able to be qualified to design a range of critical fire protection systems in WA. With registration mandatory for fire system design professionals by 1 July 2026, FPA Australia has developed processes ahead of implementation.

Fought for commonsense outcomes for FPAS

FPA Australia successfully applied to extend the transitional period for Fire Systems Design and Fire Safety Assessment under the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) in NSW.

Approval as an accreditation authority was extended until 30 June 2026, and transitional accreditation has been expanded from four years to five, before qualifications must be obtained. The latter request was made to allow accredited practitioners more time to gain their qualifications and required units of competency.

Events and conferences

Hosted Australia’s biggest fire industry conference

The Fire Australia 2024 conference (including the Fire Protection Industry Awards) was held in May on the Gold Coast. The event brought together more than 2,000 delegates and 80 exhibitors with expert speakers from around Australia and the world. An intense schedule over two days covered a wide variety of topics, from fire safety research, sustainability, and bushfire risk reduction, to fire mapping models, new technologies, battery safety, women in the fire protection industry, and the role of AI. In addition, the annual Fire Protection Industry Awards was co-hosted with the event.

National Fire Protection Month success

Two years on from the inaugural National Fire Protection Month (NFPM) in 2022, NFPM 2024 highlighted the importance of fire protection to consumers, industry, government, and other key stakeholders. A series of in-person seminars and virtual webinars over the month of September covered a broad array of topics, from building regulation, fire protection

needs, and bushfire risk to the hazards of lithium-ion batteries, and more. More than 700 people attended NFPM events during the month.

Bushfire

Representing the sector to government

FPA Australia presented at the WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety annual information session in November 2023 on the importance of using Bushfire Planning and Design (BPAD)-accredited practitioners, best practice guides, and reporting. Presentations like this are an important tool the team uses to engage with regulators and industry.

Over the year, FPA Australia’s Bushfire team also worked with Victorian regulators to strengthen the recognition of BPAD in the state, and also began conversations with the South Australian government on potential ways to introduce BPAD to the state.

Looking ahead to 2025

Key operational priorities for FPA Australia into 2025 include:

„ accreditation, licensing and compliance–continue to inform practitioners about compliance obligations and reinforce the Inspect and Test program through outreach to adjacent industries

„ advocacy and policy–improve engagement with stakeholders (especially regulators and legislators) and build new alliances with other industries

„ membership services–launch a new

membership structure that better fits member needs, streamline the member onboarding and renewal journeys, and explore opportunities for new products that make life easier for members

„ training–improve the student experience and quality of course content and introduce a new Learning Management System

„ technical services–expand the suite of technical documents, increase engagement with building owners and other stakeholders, and prepare NSW for the introduction of AS 1851

„ bushfire–progress a register of bushfire-tested products, expand BPAD offerings, and refresh FireMaps

„ events and conferences–strengthen major conferences, including Fire Australia and Bushfire: Ignite Change, and increase reach by further improving National Fire Protection Month.

LEARN MORE

For more information on these initiatives, and many more, visit the FPA Australia website: fpaa.com.au

Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, GovernorGeneral of the Commonwealth of Australia hosts the National Fire Protection Month reception at Admiralty House, Sydney. PHOTO: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

HOW DO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND, PERCEIVE AND USE MAPS DURING BUSHFIRE?

Maps are an important way to communicate spatial information and are increasingly distributed and used in natural hazards, like bushfires. The use of maps and, in particular, fire spread prediction maps that display the likely spread of fire over time, have become an important topic of interest for fire and emergency services agencies across Australia.

DR ERICA KULIGOWSKI

Principal Research Fellow, RMIT University and Natural Hazards Research Australia

When asked about their use of bushfire maps during the 2019–20 fire season, a participant from NSW recalled: “Yeah, we were kind of living off them really. You’d see something or you’d go around to a neighbour’s place and see it from a different angle, and you’d go and check the app again, just trying to get our heads around exactly what was happening—we were really living off it. It was used more—those apps were used more—than the phone feature on the phone over those days.”

Predictions in Public, a collaboration between Natural Hazards Research Australia, Country Fire Authority Victoria (CFA), Victorian Department of Education, RMIT University, Queensland University of Technology, Deakin University and Swinburne University of Technology, turned to the public to explore how community members understood, used, and acted on maps during bushfire emergencies, including incident and fire spread prediction maps.

Three locations that experienced recent bushfires were identified: Cardinia Shire, Victoria (the 2019 Bunyip Complex fires); southern ACT and the Snowy Monaro Regional Council, NSW (2019–20 Black Summer

fires); and the Huon Valley, Tasmania (the 2019 Riveaux Road fire).

Across these locations, in-person and online interviews with 94 participants were conducted between November 2022 and April 2023. The interviews explored community members’ comprehension, use, and actions in response to bushfire maps in two parts:

1. during their previous experiences in bushfires

2. when shown two types of maps and associated warning messages with a location in their state during the interview.

Part 1 findings highlighted the different types of mapping platforms participants used and why, when, and how often they would consult these maps during bushfires. Researchers found that during a bushfire, participants used maps alongside many other types of information to make sense of the situation and decide what to do next. The challenges participants encountered in understanding bushfire maps were also collated, with participants’ recommendations for improvements.

Part 2 findings identified the types of comprehension issues participants faced when viewing both incident and fire spread prediction maps, as well as the areas they assessed to be at highest risk. Participants provided suggestions for map improvements, highlighting the types of information to improve map clarity and better ways that complicated concepts on prediction maps could be communicated, such as the direction of fire spread and uncertainty.

A mocked-up incident map shown to Tasmanian interview participants.

PHOTO: TASALERT

This research explored how people with previous experience of bushfire used bushfire incident and prediction maps during fires, as well as their understanding of key information.

PHOTO: ZAHLIA LIGTHART

Background

The 2019–20 bushfire season was the first time that the NSW and ACT Rural Fire Services regularly shared fire spread prediction maps with the public as part of their public information and warning communication. Other fire agencies previously released similar maps on an ad hoc basis, while the CFA in Victoria sometimes released maps of potential impact zones (for example, in East Gippsland during the 2019–20 season).

Previous research by Natural Hazards Research Australia and the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC identified support from Victorian fire operations staff for the dissemination of fire spread prediction maps to the public, while post-event inquiries recommended greater use of fire spread predictions in public messaging. To aid the development of evidence-based guidelines on how predictive maps should be designed and communicated to the public, a clear understanding of how community members comprehend, use, and act upon fire spread prediction maps was needed.

While previous studies explored the effectiveness of hazard maps for communicating bushfire warning information to the public, none looked at if and how fire spread prediction maps could help community members understand their risk from the bushfire and take action accordingly.

Research methodology

From November 2022 to April 2023, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 94 participants in-person or online and explored how

participants used, understood, and acted on bushfire maps, including fire spread prediction maps, while their communities were at risk of bushfire. Participants were also shown fire incident and prediction maps with their associated warning messages to determine what they saw and understood when looking at these types of maps. Participants comprised 50% female/male respondents and skewed slightly older across all locations (with only 10% of respondents younger than 45 years old).

The majority held a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and were frequent users of all types of maps, not just bushfire incident and prediction maps. Additionally, 39% of participants’ households were members of an emergency service agency, 40% experienced at least five bushfires before the 2019–20 fires, and approximately 60% had evacuated at least once due to bushfire.

Research findings

Participants indicated that they used different types of maps during bushfires, including local fire agency maps, the Bureau of Meteorology, Google Maps, and third-party weather or hazard mapping platforms, like the Windy app, Digital Earth Australia (DEA) hotspots map and bushfire.io.

Maps were checked more often at certain times during the bushfire, especially for early information (when the fire had not yet spread to participants’ immediate areas) or when the fire was moving quickly. Many participants used maps frequently, between 20 to 50 times each day.

A combination of information sources was used by participants to get a broader picture of their bushfire situation, with maps only one tool in their information toolbox. Community meetings were particularly useful in increasing understanding of fire spread prediction maps, as fire agency experts were on hand to explain the maps in more detail and answer questions.

Participants used maps for different purposes, including to:

„ self-localise, or identify where they were in relation to the bushfire

„ gather information about the bushfire and what to do next

„ monitor the extent or rate of spread using the burnt areas shown on the map

„ cross-reference map information with other sources

„ confirm or explain the physical cues that they were seeing around them (for example, smoke or emergency response crews and vehicles responding to the fire)

„ make judgements about how the fire might spread and the level of risk

„ inform or warn others who may be at risk

„ monitor the impact of the fire on their or others’ properties, especially after evacuation.

Several main challenges in participants’ use of maps were identified, including difficulty ascertaining whether information was up to date; missing, inconsistent, or inaccurate information; and inaccessibility of information due to lack of internet or coverage, device used, or comprehension issues. Participants indicated that this often reduced their

A mocked-up incident map shown to Victorian interview participants.

SOURCE: VIC EMERGENCY

confidence in the mapped information.

When shown an incident or fire spread prediction map, participants could not consistently identify the location at greatest risk of harm from bushfire. The meaning of the warning polygons (Figures 1 and 3), triangle symbols and the meaning of the triangles’ locations (Figure 3) and the risks associated with certain areas on the maps, such as the grey or burnt areas, and the areas of potential fire spread (Figure 2), were also confusing for participants.

Regardless of map type, all participants requested more information to help them understand and act:

„ wayfinding and navigation information to help self-locate, including city and town names, landmarks, topographical information, parks and road names, as well as traffic information, road closures, refuges, and potential routes for evacuation

„ environmental conditions, including fire size, intensity, activity (including burnt areas), location, spread and direction

„ weather information and forecasts

„ emergency response information (including the number of responding vehicles, their locations within the affected areas, and the areas of intervention, for example, backburning and containment lines).

Participants also requested map features such as a scale bar, compass, legend, increased resolution, and clear colouring to help improve their use and understanding of the mapped information.

Research impact

This part of the Predictions in Public project’s findings provides significant insight into the public’s needs in understanding and acting on bushfire predictive and incident maps.

The inclusion of additional information suggested by participants in future bushfire maps may depend on map type and purpose—wayfinding and emergency response information may be best shown on a localised incident map (Figures 1 and 3), rather than a statewide prediction map (Figure 2).

Users’ inference of missing information is key to how and where these types of information should be included in future bushfire maps. When information was missing, participants made inferences about future fire spread predictions, fire locations, weather or wind conditions, and the

A mocked-up fire spread prediction map shown to NSW/ACT interview participants. SOURCE: VIC EMERGENCY

scale of the bushfire, extent of damage, and firefighting resources needed based on their own knowledge and experience. In some cases, this did not lead to accurate conclusions.

The ability of map users to selflocate was identified as important by participants. Fire spread prediction maps can enable users to understand their location in relation to the area of greatest risk by clearly communicating the direction of fire spread and including information about the fire front and areas of fire activity. This would help residents to understand the risk around them and make the best protective action decisions for themselves and their families.

The suggestions made by participants about different ways that fire spread prediction maps could more effectively communicate risk and uncertainty will be tested in Phase 2 of this project via laboratory experiments, surveys, and focus groups.

Through the stories and experiences of residents who experienced bushfire in these three communities, Predictions in Public provides critical insights into future bushfire map design that will benefit communities around Australia. In conjunction with other parts of this project (Work Package 3: Interviews with fire agency personnel about the role and value of predictive services products, and Work Package 5: First National Community Survey), these findings will inform the design of fire spread prediction maps that will be tested and refined in subsequent Predictions in Public projects.

For more information about this project, visit naturalhazards.com.au/ predictions-in-public

naturalhazards.com.au/black-summer

AUSTRALASIA BOLSTERS NORTH AMERICAN WILDFIRE RESPONSE

Out-ofcontrol fires burning in Alberta and British Columbia triggered a request for assistance from CIFFC to NRSC.

The AFAC National Resource Sharing Centre was activated to provide international support to Canada and the US during wildfire operations. The most recent deployment is another chapter in a growing history of collaboration between the countries.

The request for assistance followed a sustained period where Canada reached National Preparedness Level 5, which saw significant wildfire activity across the country, and firefighters and equipment in every jurisdiction put to use.

The Australian and New Zealand contingent, coordinated through the AFAC National Resource Sharing Centre (NRSC), included representatives from every Australian state and territory and New Zealand, and was made up of individuals filling roles such as air attack supervisors, strike team leaders, fire behaviour analysts, public information officers, heavy machinery managers, and other incident management team roles.

to Canada, and 71 personnel deployed to the US. The final contingent returned home on 13 September, marking an eight-week activation of the AFAC NRSC to support partners in North America.

In total, 5.4 million hectares were burnt across Canada in the year to the end of the 2024 wildfire season. In the US, 3.2 million hectares burnt during the same period.

History of help

There is a long tradition of fire management resource sharing between the Southern and Northern Hemisphere countries, dating back more than two decades.

On 19 July, the first contingent of Australian and New Zealand emergency management personnel deployed to Canada, following a request for assistance from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) to support operations in Alberta and British Columbia.

A few weeks later, another contingent of Australian and New Zealand emergency management personnel deployed to the US following a request for assistance from the National Interagency Fire Center to support operations in Oregon and Washington State. They left on 7 August.

Over the entire course of the Northern Hemisphere summer, 312 Australasian personnel deployed

Most recently in 2023, the AFAC NRSC coordinated a deployment of 746 Australasian personnel to Canada. It remains the largest international AFAC NRSC deployment to date.

In 2019–20, 239 Canadian and 360 US personnel deployed to multiple Australian locations to support the Black Summer bushfire response.

The most recent Australasian deployment to the US was in 2018, with 140 personnel.

PHOTO: ALBERTA WILDFIRE

ALANA BEITZ

AFAC

During times of significant wildfire activity and when domestic resources are stretched, international deployments provide great value for boosting wildfire firefighting capability. The growing history of resource sharing between Canada, the US, Australia, and New Zealand has allowed the countries to better align their incident management systems and share resources effectively when required.

The AFAC NRSC is operated through shared investment between fire and emergency service agencies in Australia and New Zealand, and the Australian Government. The AFAC NRSC coordinates and facilitates international deployments as authorised by the Commissioners and Chief Officers Strategic Committee.

Deployment leaders look back on the season

A key role in the AFAC NRSC deployments to Canada and the US is the International Liaison Officer (INLO), who provides in-country support and leadership for the delegation.

Graeme Saunder, Forest Fire Management Victoria, was the initial INLO deployed into Canada and based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He saw the deployment as a unique opportunity to learn from others and improve arrangements for future resource sharing and deployments.

“Working with INLOs from other contributing countries—Costa Rica, Mexico, and South Africa—was a highlight of the deployment. We realised that, despite our various differences, we all grapple with the same challenges and issues both at home and abroad, just in a different operating environment,” he said.

“There are always better ways to do business, by learning from others and being able to share these learnings more broadly. This leads to improved and safer systems of work, which can equip our teams for a continued and expanded presence in the international wildfire family. And I now know some Spanish!”

Mr Saunder was honoured to accept the request to participate in the deployment from his Chief Fire Officer, and motivated to support the Australian and New Zealand teams in Canada. His advice to those considering deployment in the future was to “expect the unexpected”.

“No level of experience, background research or briefings will cover all possibilities you’ll encounter in a different country and work environment,” he said.

“Whilst not taking the opportunity to be deployed lightly, make sure you enjoy the experience and remember you’re a guest in a foreign land. Have fun and find something to thank your hosts for each and every day.”

Over in the US, Alen Slijepcevic was based in Boise, Idaho during his position as the INLO for Australian and New Zealand personnel deployed in the US. His focus was the wellbeing and safety of personnel, as well as building mutual trust and maintaining relationships.

“The main motivation was to make sure that our relationships with the US colleagues are strong going forward as with the climate change, we will rely more and more on each other,” he said.

“I also wanted to explore the opportunities for furthering our relationships in other areas and not just suppression support.”

Mr Slijepcevic did not have one standout memory from the deployment,

except for an overall feeling of being welcomed by the agencies and people wherever they went.

“Apart from building the lasting relationships, there are always things that we pick up on deployments like this that are used to improve what and how we do fire management in Australia,” he said.

The AFAC NRSC is proud to support international collaboration and coordination. The AFAC NRSC extends particular thanks to those who deployed to Canada and the US during the 2024 wildfire season and acknowledges their commitment and contribution.

The AFAC NRSC enhances the efficiency of resource deployments to an interstate or international natural hazard emergency event. Through its creation of partnerships and agreements, national resourcing capability is deployable through a collaborative operating model.

Top FFMVic crew at the Burns Lake fire in British Columbia.

Above FFMVic crew at the Burns Lake fire in British Columbia.

Above International connections and interoperability are key to supporting deployments.

PHOTO: QUEENSLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT

PHOTO: FFMV

PHOTO: FFMV

PERSPECTIVES FROM THE SECTOR: 140 YEARS OF FIRE AND RESCUE NSW

In this regular series, AFAC CEO Rob Webb interviews a leader in the fire and emergency services sector. This edition he speaks with Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM about the agency’s 140-year milestone and the value of partnerships.

ROB WEBB

AFAC

We all focus on just how much change there has been in recent decades. FRNSW has reached the impressive milestone of 140 years of community service. What are the things that haven’t changed, the things that are timeless?

The last 140 years have certainly brought plenty of change.

As an organisation, we’ve welcomed the introduction of new firefighting technology such as modern vehicles, transitioned from brass helmets to our modern helmets, breathing apparatus, mobile phone, and radio communications.

But the core of our service has always remained the same. Our commitment is, and has always been, to protect the communities of NSW from the dangers of fire and other emergencies.

The courage, resilience, and professionalism of our firefighters are timeless qualities that have been passed down through generations, always standing strong in the face of adversity.

I was impressed to read of your strategic approach to partnerships to accelerate you into the future. Can you tell me a bit about why you are focusing here? What are some of the partnerships that have enhanced FRNSW’s capability?

As we reflect on our rich history, we are also looking forward, focusing on strategic partnerships that enhance our capabilities, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of fire and emergency services.

As firefighters, we’re faced with a world of growing challenges—from climate change to urban growth—and collaboration is key to staying ahead. FRNSW’s focus on strategic partnerships stems from the belief that together, we can achieve more.

These collaborations allow us to tap into specialised knowledge, advanced technology, and innovative solutions. For example, our partnership with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has led to the development of immersive AI-powered training for our firefighters, bringing cutting-edge learning environments that sharpen our capabilities.

For an organisation with a strong reputation and level of community trust, the benefit of partnerships comes in the form of accessing resources and expertise so that we can reach more people and keep them safe. We are also building a stronger partnership with the Insurance Council of Australia. As we both face emerging challenges from new technologies, a more complex built environment, and more impactful weather events, sharing our learnings with each other is more critical than ever.

Modern approaches to emergency management describe the importance of a ‘whole-of-system’ view, not just the individual parts. I’m struck by FRNSW’s personal drive and leadership to support community safety. Can you tell me how these ideas intersect with partnerships and how you see them enhancing community safety and building community trust and confidence. A whole-of-system approach is critical in modern emergency management because no one entity can tackle disasters alone. At FRNSW, we understand that partnerships are crucial to ensuring effective prevention, response, and recovery efforts. By collaborating with government agencies, industry leaders, and academic institutions, we ensure a more cohesive and proactive approach to community safety.

For major events in recent years, we have developed a process to bring together teams of our Aboriginal firefighters to engage with impacted

local Aboriginal communities. Trust with these communities is quickly developed, as often our firefighters have family connections to these areas, so are known and recognised.

Our partnerships not only provide additional resources and expertise but also build community trust, as people see us working alongside respected partners to create safer environments and prevent incidents. Whether it’s through public education with Nickelodeon to teach children about fire safety, or collaborating with insurers to promote disaster resilience, our partnerships strengthen community confidence.

Accelerating innovation involves connecting to new ideas, new sectors and continuously connecting to solve common problems. What role does the private sector play in this?

The private sector plays a pivotal role in driving innovation, bringing fresh perspectives, cutting-edge technology, and developing capabilities.

Our partnerships with private entities help us implement modern tools and techniques that enhance our operational efficiency. For instance, through partnerships with tech companies, we’ve explored drone technology and advanced analytics to support faster, more precise emergency responses.

Our partnership with Fire Protection Association Australia has meant that we have a dedicated training space for installed fire safety systems at our Emergency Services Academy.

Collaborating with the Insurance Council of Australia also highlights how the private sector can help FRNSW and the community better understand, prepare for, and mitigate risks in the built environment, such as lithium-ion batteries.

Looking forward, with a platform of 140 years behind you, what drives you forward? What are the types of partnerships that will save lives and livelihoods?

What drives FRNSW forward is the understanding that the threats facing our communities are growing more complex, from natural disasters driven by climate change, to urban emergencies when people are becoming more reliant on technology.

The partnerships of the future will focus on technology, data-driven decision-making, and resiliencebuilding. We aim to collaborate with

partners who can help us innovate, whether through AI, predictive analytics, or new approaches to community education and engagement.

Partnerships that integrate advanced technology with on-theground expertise will be vital in saving lives and protecting livelihoods.

In addition, research partnerships that help FRNSW understand new emerging energy technology will help agencies like ours be better prepared.

Finally, if you could speak to every potential partner out there, how would you describe the FRNSW they will partner with now and into the future?

Partnering with FRNSW means collaborating with an organisation steeped in 140 years of trusted service, yet firmly focused on the future.

We believe in the power of partnerships to amplify our impact, deliver on our strategic objectives, and drive innovation in emergency services.

We are committed to innovation, proactive in safeguarding communities, and ready to work with like-minded partners to solve tomorrow’s challenges today.

PHOTO: FRNSW

PHOTO: FRNSW

Top FRNSW collaborates with the Insurance Council of Australia to mitigate community risk.

Above

FRNSW partners with Paw Patrol to bring safety messaging to children and young people.

REFLECTING ON THE AFAC EXHIBITION

RUSSELL SHEPHARD

Director Standards and Strategic Procurement, AFAC

In writing this reflection article about AFAC24 powered by INTERSCHUTZ, I do so with a heavy heart, as it marks the last event I will be a part of. As I look toward my retirement in December this year, and after spending over 50 years working in the fire and emergency services sector, I am leaving with a great deal of pride in seeing how much the exhibition has developed over the years from its humble beginnings. Following are some highlights from my career in the sector, including the 17-plus years of working at AFAC.

In 2006, I was tasked with developing a collaborative procurement model with the brief of making procurement savings for AFAC member agencies, and for them to share procurement-related strategies and information.

This initiative had been attempted twice before, but both attempts were unsuccessful, presenting significant challenges. Working closely with SA Country Fire Service employee Arthur Tindall AFSM as joint project leaders, we successfully developed what became known as the Collaborative Purchasing Initiative (CPI). This eventually evolved into a group known today as the AFAC Collaborative Procurement Business Strategy Group (CPBSG).

In commencing development of the initiative, it was soon realised that if the CPI were to become a success, the industry needed to be engaged with and involved. Engaging with manufacturers and suppliers who provide the various products and services used by the fire and emergency services sector, as well as engaging with AFAC member agencies procurement staff, not only provided the opportunity to discuss and promote the concept and viability of the CPI to them, but also provided an opportunity

to promote the benefits of participation in the AFAC Exhibition.

In 2000, I attended INTERSCHUTZ trade fair in Augsburg, Germany—the world’s largest fire and emergency services exhibition—and participated in International Standards Organisation (ISO) meetings. These opportunities helped further promote the AFAC conference and exhibition. As a result, many international companies, which were previously unaware of the event or had not considered attending or exhibiting, began to see the value of participating and realised the opportunities that the Australasian market offered.

The AFAC exhibition grew progressively due to several aspects: the important formation of the CPI, the commitment of the AFAC staff involved in running the conference, and because local and international manufacturers could see the benefits of participating.

Arthur and I both recall the moment we were asked for our opinion

Top left Steve Molloy presents Russell Shephard with his award and thanks him for his years of service.

Above right Russell Shephard’s award recognising his long and successful career.

Above AFAC23 powered by INTERSCHUTZ exhibition.

PHOTOS: AFAC

regarding the decision to partner with Hanover Fairs for the event. At the time, Hanover Fairs, along with the German Government, owned INTERSCHUTZ. We both expressed our concern that the AFAC exhibition would no longer be recognised as our sector conference; however, today we realise this could not have been further from the truth. AFAC powered by INTERSCHUTZ has become one of the largest and most successful industry conference and trade fairs of its kind worldwide.

It continues to improve and expand every year, and the 2024 event in Sydney was no exception. In 2015, once AFAC began working with Hanover Fairs to bring the AFAC exhibition to life, 115 industry exhibitors were featured, whereas in 2024, an overwhelming 238 industry exhibitors showcased across 18,000 m2 of floor space. The reality is that the exhibition is just as valuable to the industry as it is to the sector decision-makers. Its ongoing success can be attributed to the dedication of the AFAC and Hanover Fairs Australia teams who work diligently to make this event the success it is today. The challenge for them moving forward is to ensure that the existing positive momentum is maintained, and exhibitors—both local and international—continue to see value in their participation.

One of my fondest memories was in 2010 at AFAC10 in Darwin, NT. Both Arthur and I were recognised for our contribution and were presented with the Laurie Lavelle Award. Receiving this recognition for the formation of the CPI further validated its importance.

To the readers of this article, I joined the Canberra Fire Service in 1976 and will remember all the fond memories and friendships that I developed during that time. Arthur Tindall AFSM retired from the SA Country Fire Service in 2015; however, he continued his involvement with AFAC on a voluntary basis until mid-2021. We remain good friends to this day. Arthur and I thank you all for your support, friendship, professionalism and, most importantly, your ongoing commitment to all fire and emergency service members.

While attending AFAC24, I took the opportunity to catch up with many exhibitors I have had the pleasure of working with over the years, and to advise them that this will be my last AFAC conference and exhibition.

For those that I missed, I’d like to thank everyone I have worked with over the years for all the support you have given myself and AFAC, and for your contribution to the health and safety of our fire and emergency services.

I have enjoyed working with you over the many years of my career and retire in the knowledge that we have made a difference.

AFAC powered by INTERSCHUTZ has become one of the largest and most successful industry conference and trade fairs of its kind worldwide.

Above AFAC powered by INTERSCHUTZ in 2023 (top) and 2022.

RUSSELL’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

CLAIRE

BRENTNALL

AFAC

Every year we acknowledge exhibitors and sponsors who have contributed to the success of the AFAC conference and exhibition. At the AFAC24 Exhibitor and Sponsor Function, we took the opportunity to acknowledge Russell Shephard’s 50 years of service to the emergency services sector.

Russell has been my mentor for almost 12 years and has mentored many others throughout his career. We surprised him by acknowledging all his hard work in firefighter safety at the forefront of his mind. It’s been nothing but an honour and a pleasure to work with you Russell. I’ve learnt more about PPE and fleet in our time together than I ever thought I could.

Technical Product Manager at Stewart & Heaton, Steve Molloy, summed up the impact Russell has had on the sector: “He was a driving force, not only at the national level, but also internationally.” I’d like to thank Steve for keeping the surprise with me and sharing such kind words.

Russ, I hope you enjoyed every minute of saying farewell to those you’ve fostered strong relationships with based on your steadfast commitment and care. As you look forward to your retirement, we look forward to what that looks like for you.

PHOTOS: AFAC

UPDATE

AS 1851—WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

SIMON RICKARD

National Technical Manager, FPA Australia

The NSW Government has introduced regulation to mandate the use of Australian Standard AS 1851-2012—

Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment for the fire protection industry. It is the last Australian jurisdiction to do so.

AS 1851-2012 provides a systematic approach to routine servicing of fire protection systems and equipment, which covers inspection, test, preventative maintenance and surveying. Its primary goal is to ensure the functionality and reliability of fire protection systems and equipment, ensuring they are achieving a standard of performance to which they were designed.

From early 2025, NSW will require systems addressed by AS 1851-2012 Amendment 1 to be maintained according to this standard. Here, we lay out some of the must-know facts about this regulatory roll-out.

What is happening and who is affected?

Effective 13 February 2025, buildings that are required to provide annual or supplementary fire safety statements will be required to maintain all installed essential fire safety measures in accordance with AS 1851-2012 Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment.

Australian Standard AS 1851-2012 specifies the required inspection, testing, preventive maintenance, and record-keeping requirements necessary to keep fire systems operational and compliant.

Both fire industry service providers and property owners/managers will have new responsibilities under these rules.

Building owners and their representatives will be responsible for ensuring installed essential fire safety measures are maintained in accordance with AS 1851-2012. Complying with this standard meets legal obligations and manages the safety and security of occupants within a building.

What should I tell clients who are property owners, facility managers, and/or occupiers?

FPA Australia recommends service providers advise building owners and their representatives of the incoming regulation, with a view to taking appropriate action.

Service providers should take the opportunity to meet with clients managing NSW properties, review current preventative maintenance practices for their facilities, and prepare a proposal to ensure they align with AS 1851-2012. This should include a program identifying and scheduling the required post annual servicing, which also needs to be in place by 13 February 2025.

Even if a building does not require an annual fire safety statement, the NSW Government and FPA Australia recommend that owners ensure all fire safety measures are adequately maintained. Compliance with AS 1851-2012 is strongly advised.

What if my clients’ building is already compliant with AS 1851-2012?

For buildings already under contracts that ensure maintenance according to AS 1851-2012, no additional preparation is needed. However, for properties not yet compliant with AS 1851-2012, building owners must update their maintenance contracts to meet this standard by the specified date.

When must action be taken?

A preventative maintenance program in accordance with AS 1851-2012 should be in place by 13 February 2025.

Where can I find more information?

Information on the introduction of this new regulation is available from several sources:

„ FPA Australia

ƒ Visit the FPA Australia website (fpaa.com.au) and search for ‘AS 1851’ to find technical documents and other information that will assist service providers

ƒ FPA Australia members can reach out to the FPA Australia Technical team via email (technical@fpaa.com.au)

„ NSW Government

ƒ Visit the Fair Trading website (fairtrading.nsw.gov.au) and search for ‘Reforms to fire safety regulation’

ƒ Visit the Standards Australia Store (store.standards.org.au) and search for ‘AS 1851’.

What about AS 1851 outside NSW?

Outside NSW, all other states and territories have already introduced AS 1851-2012 into regulation. However Standards Australia recently made it known to industry that it had approved a project to rewrite AS 1851 and it is anticipated that, once complete, all Australian jurisdictions will introduce regulation to take up the new standard.

FPA Australia welcomes the announcement of this project and has already been in contact with Standards Australia to offer industry perspective, technical advice, and committee members.

FPA AUSTRALIA’S ROLE IN IMPLEMENTATION OF AS 1851 IN NSW

FPA Australia has been working with service providers, government, and industry to prepare a pathway for the introduction of AS 1851 in NSW.

In addition to liaising with regulators, we have prepared engagement flyers and technical materials and also held a webinar, which was very well attended.

FPA Australia will hold additional webinar(s) and has an engagement plan to continue liaising with government (including state regulators and local councils), plus industry groups representing property owners and managers, facilities and strata managers, and business owners and occupiers.

“TWO WORLDS COLLIDED—AND THEY COULD NEVER TEAR US APART … ”

MARK WHYBRO, AFSM

HFSCA Steering Committee

Adjunct Fellow—School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University

One of my favourite songs is ‘Never tear us apart’ by INXS, and one of my best memories in following the Sydney Swans for 30+ years is belting it out at Adelaide Oval among the Power faithful. Awesome.

Home fire sprinklers are certainly not the first thing you think of when you hear this song, but the first line captures the challenge of integrated domestic drinking water/fire protection systems. Fire sprinklers and domestic plumbing were—and, arguably, still are—very separate worlds. The nature of this traditional separation means fire sprinkler fitters and domestic plumbers come through different education pathways, are required to undertake different courses and assessments to prove competence, trade under different licensing and registration arrangements, and operate under different industrial conditions.

These two worlds collided in the 2019 National Construction Code (NCC), when integrated domestic drinking water/fire protection systems were recognised as Deemed-toSatisfy solutions for identified mid-rise apartment and other shared residential buildings. An independent Regulatory Impact Assessment, commissioned by the Australian Building Codes Board, found the 101D integrated design to be the most cost-effective for installations in Class 2 and Class 3 buildings under 25 m in effective height.

But (and there’s always a ‘but’), the two previously separate regulatory worlds of fire sprinklers and plumbing have not always worked together to support this innovation. Sprinkler fitters, for example, do not typically have a licence allowing them to work with the potable water supply, while plumbers do not usually have the required familiarity with life-saving fire sprinkler systems. There was no real agreed pathway to bridge this gap, since none had ever been needed. Training and licensing requirements evolved separately over time with our workforces, codes, and built environment. NCC 2019 changed that, with an option to have properly qualified and licensed practitioners install integrated systems.

A short note: While these systems are ‘integrated’, with sprinkler heads fitted in each compartment from a domestic drinking water supply piping, they will be used overwhelmingly as domestic plumbing. As with existing sprinklered offices, retail, and industrial buildings, the system may never be activated by a fire during the life of the property.

Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition Australia’s (HFSCA) priorities include ensuring the historical difference in regulation and codes governing fire sprinklers and domestic plumbing is bridged. If, as HFSCA is proposing, all disability accommodation enrolled in the NDIS is required to be sprinklerprotected, Australia will need a properly trained, assessed, and licensed workforce to deliver these systems. Regulation, especially who can do what when working with home sprinklers, needs to be readily

understood by regulators, RTOs, builders, plumbers, and fire protection practitioners.

Regulation also has to be based on evidence, a challenge when industry understanding of fire sprinklers has, to date, been separate industrial-scale systems. The lack of Class 1 homes protected by fire sprinklers in Australia adds to this, with a sizeable portion of the plumbing workforce having had little or no exposure to integrated domestic water/fire protection systems. As well, plumbing teachers—the very experts on whom the system depends to turn out competent practitioners—may not be that familiar with home sprinklers. HFSCA is collaborating with key stakeholders in vocational education and regulation to ensure quality training specific to integrated systems is freely available to trainees and apprentices, as well as experienced licensed practitioners.

The ripples from the two worlds colliding in NCC 2019 continue to be felt, acknowledging that this should have been expected when innovation disrupts a settled market. One thing that is certain is that these two previously parallel worlds will never be torn apart. The cost of installation and maintenance is a critical driver of community take-up of home sprinklers, with combined infrastructure one of the best ways to ensure cost-effectiveness. Another one is ensuring properly qualified and licensed tradespeople can install both the domestic drinking system and sprinkler heads in identified compartments. It’s hard to argue against a life-saving system that is value for money.

PERMIT CONDITION CHECKS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

PAUL HODGSON

Executive Officer—Ozone Protection Fire Protection Industry (ODS & SGG) Board

The Fire Protection Industry (ODS & SGG) Board invites all permit holders to join our Field Engagement Program. Launched in January 2024, this nationwide initiative aims to strengthen industry standards by conducting permit condition checks (PCCs) with all permit holders across our three permit categories: Extinguishing Agent Handling Licence (EAHL), Extinguishing Agent Trading Authorisation (EATA), and Halon Special Permit (HSP). These licences are required for those who handle, buy, or store scheduled gases within the fire protection industry.

What is the Field Engagement Program?

The Field Engagement Program is designed to enhance education and ensure compliance within the fire protection industry. Our dedicated Field Engagement Officers, located throughout Australia, visit permit holders face-to-face to conduct PCCs. These visits offer not only compliance checks but are also a valuable opportunity for permit holders to be provided with education on scheduled gases, best practice advice, and the opportunity to raise any concerns or thoughts with the FPIB.

By October 2024, the Board had successfully conducted 728 permit condition checks. This left a further 900 permit condition checks to be conducted over the following 12 months.

What should you expect during a permit condition check?

Permit condition checks (PCCs) are designed to be a collaborative experience between the Field Engagement team and permit holders. During the check, the team assesses compliance with permit conditions, ensuring adherence to best practices and legal obligations.

But it is more than just a check— the visit offers a chance for open discussion on any industry-related topics or concerns you may have.

You’ll receive education on critical areas such as discharge reporting and safe disposal, as well as insights into best practices for handling scheduled extinguishing agents and maintaining records. We believe these face-toface engagements help foster a safer working environment and raise industry standards.

Why is the program important?

At the Fire Protection Industry Board, we are deeply committed to upholding the highest standards of fire protection and the handling of scheduled gases. Through the Field Engagement Program, we aim to:

„ increase awareness and compliance with the fire protection permit scheme

„ promote best practices in the industry

„ ensure permit holders are well-informed and following the regulations that protect their workplace and the broader community

„ reduce emissions through education and compliance that leads to fewer avoidable discharges.

Why should you join the Field Engagement Program?

There are several compelling reasons to participate:

„ positively impact your community— help enhance the safety and well-being of your workplace, industry, and community by ensuring compliance with licensing requirements

„ improve safety protocols—by joining the program, you’re actively contributing to a safer environment and workplace by ensuring that all fire protection regulations are met

„ get expert support—you’ll gain hands-on experience and valuable insights into best practices, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with professionals across the industry

„ help safeguard our environment— scheduled gases when they reach our atmosphere cause extreme harm; education and compliance is in place to help reduce avoidable discharges

„ collaborate with us to make improvements—your feedback is invaluable; share your insights with us during these visits and help shape future compliance improvements.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

We encourage all permit holders to book their permit condition check today. Reach out to our Field Engagement Team Leader at nick.best@fpib.com.au, or visit our website at fpib.com.au/fieldengagement-program for more information and to book your visit online. Together, we can ensure an educated industry and reduce emissions.

PHOTO: PEXELS

FPA AUSTRALIA ADVOCACY

—PROGRESS OVER

In the past year, FPA Australia has advanced its advocacy program with a renewed focus, progressing ongoing efforts to promote fire protection to politicians, regulators, and the community, and a drive to increase the uptake of accreditation.

The organisation progresses its advocacy and policy initiatives through its staff and the hard work of its state committees.

Following are some highlights on progress made in each state in the past year, and an outlook for priorities for 2025.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE YEAR

ACT

„ Created the ACT/Southern NSW Committee.

„ Enhanced relationships with ACT Fire and Rescue and the ACT public service.

„ Convinced the Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction, the Hon. Rebecca Vassarotti MLA, and the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate to:

ƒ exclude fire systems designers from the definition of engineer under the professional engineer registration scheme

ƒ look at opportunities to recognise fire systems design and fire safety assessment accreditation.

NSW

„ Responded to multiple consultation papers covering the proposed, broad-based regulation of the construction industry and fire protection sector.

„ Took a leading role in opposing some of the reforms to prevent negative impacts to the fire protection sector.

„ Engaged with a variety of senior figures within the NSW Government—including the Building Commissioner, the Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW, and the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service—to promote the importance of fire protection and to argue for sensible regulation.

2024

NT

„ Began the process to recreate the NT Committee and engaged with local members about issues of concern.

„ Lobbied both sides of Parliament and NT Fire and Rescue Service to consider accreditation as a solution to concerns about fire protection.

„ Engaged with KPMG to advise on fire protection needs and the sector’s role supporting NT Fire and Rescue Service.

Queensland

„ Engaged with regulators to promote improvements in the current construction industry regulations.

„ Held a forum allowing members to question the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) about its practices and areas of concern.

„ Lobbied the Queensland Opposition to re-examine the performance of the QBCC ahead of the recent state election.

SA

„ Launched the Form 3 Good Practice Guide, written to support practitioners maintaining systems in SA, and promoted it to local councils.

„ Engaged with advisors and bureaucrats in the state to:

ƒ support proposals to introduce the BPAD scheme for bushfire design and planning

ƒ prevent fire systems designers from being captured by the engineer registration program

ƒ seek flexibility in the use of AS 1851-2012 for existing buildings.

Tasmania

„ Promoted the potential adoption of accreditation within Tasmania.

„ Expanded networks of stakeholders and regulators to help with our advocacy in the state.

„ Made submissions to consultations on local government reforms and hydraulic design licensing.

Victoria

„ Reinstated quarterly meetings with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV).

„ Established stronger relationships

with key bureaucrats and decisionmakers to seek possible changes to restricted licensing requirements.

„ Made a submission to the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning on mandatory continuing professional development for building and plumbing practitioners.

WA

strengthen the ability to achieve advocacy goals and improve the business environment for members.

„ Expanded networks and influence with key decision-makers within the state, discussing proposed regulations in the construction and fire protection sectors, and potential developments with the BPAD scheme.

„ Commenced the development of a business case for a local training facility in the West.

PRIORITIES FOR THE FUTURE

In 2025 FPA Australia will:

„ continue to build our networks and representation at a state and territory level

„ ensure that effective responses are given to consultations to ensure that the voice of fire protection is appropriately heard

„ offer accreditation as an alternative to licensing to allow industry to have a say in its own professionalisation

„ increase the activity and output of committees to deliver revenue and tap into the issues affecting local members

„ develop content that will help our members to perform their roles more effectively

„ increase the profile and voice of the fire protection sector, through advocacy, engagement, and via National Fire Protection Month.

PHOTO: FPA AUSTRALIA

FPA Australia CEO John Collie (left) meeting with FPA New Zealand CEO and Council Chair Scott Lawson. Strong international ties

AN ATRIUM FIRE, CHICAGO—1973

BARRY LEE OAM

In the early hours of 2 April 1973, fire involved the second-floor Blue Max nightclub in the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont.

This fire was of particular interest because of the fire exposure in a tenstorey atrium in the centre of the hotel.

Although the property damage was high—exceeding US$300,000—only one of the 1,000 registered guests required medical attention.1

Guest rooms were arranged along the walls surrounding the atrium, with corridors open to the atrium and balconies on the exterior walls. Circular towers containing guest rooms and a stair shaft were located at the corners of the atrium. Elevators were located in the centre of the atrium, with walkways from corridors to the elevators. The atrium structure rose from the second to the 11th floor and was topped by an extensive skylight area. It measured 45 m on its longest side.

The fire in the nightclub, which was not sprinklered, was discovered at 4.30 am when smoke was issuing from the entrance into the atrium. Firefighters found the atrium charged with smoke, with visibility down to 3 m in most areas, to the point of obscuring exit signs.

The atrium smoke exhaust system had failed to operate because the switch connecting the smoke detection system to the smoke exhaust system had been turned off.

Although 1,000 guest rooms were exposed to the fire conditions, there were no fatalities—but the fire graphically illustrated the potential for rapid smoke build-up in an atrium unless measures are taken to prevent it.

The fire department response included seven engines, one ladder, an elevating platform, and 65 firefighters.

US and Canadian building codes mandate sprinkler protection in atria and adjacent floor spaces. Sprinklers are extremely effective, however: “… because of delayed response they are not so effective in controlling fires in

1. Looking toward the top of the atrium floor from the seventh-floor balcony.

2. The atrium is within the centre, balconied building. Two of the four towers are at left and right.

3. The interior atrium of the hotel.

atria exceeding 20 m in height. Also, water droplets from sprinklers make smoke less buoyant and drive it down to the atrium floor or to lower levels of adjacent floors.”2

A contrary view holds that sprinklers at atrium ceiling level will respond to localised heat, help maintain cool upper ceiling temperatures and protect against structural failures. That is, they may not have a significant role to perform in overall atrium protection, but certainly act to prevent ceiling (skylight) collapse. As Fleming3 has emphasised, “sprinklers should not be omitted from high ceilings without a great deal of thought and analysis”.

1 Sharry JA, 1973, ‘An atrium fire’, Fire Journal, November 1973

2 Tamura GT, 1992, ‘Smoke management in atria’, Construction Canada, 1992

3 Fleming RP, 1988, ‘High-on Sprinklers’, Sprinkler Quarterly, Winter 1988

PHOTO: DARREN BRADLEY

STANDARDS UPDATE

AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS AND TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS UPDATE

CE-030 Maritime structures

◆ AS 4997-2024 Maritime structures is out for public comment until 11 December 2024.

EL-031 Alarm and electronic security systems

◆ AS 4421-2023 Amd 1 Guard and patrol security services is in drafting.

FP-002 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems

◆ AS 4428.6 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems—Control and indicating equipment, Part 6: Alarm signalling equipment. The ballot closed 26 September 2024.

◆ AS 7240.2 Fire detection and alarm systems, Part 2: Fire detection control and indicating equipment (ISO 7240-2:2017, MOD) is in drafting.

FP-011 Special hazard fire protection systems

◆ AS 6183 Fire protection equipment— Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems for use on premises—Design and installation (ISO 6183:2022, MOD) closed for public comment on 15 October 2024.

FP-020 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas

◆ AS 3959 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas closed for public comment on 2 August 2024.

◆ AS 5414 Bushfire water spray systems is in drafting.

◆ SA HB 208.1 Maintenance of construction in bushfire-prone areas, Part 1: Practitioners guide is in drafting.

◆ SA HB 208.2 Maintenance of construction in bushfire-prone areas, Part 2: Consumer manual is in drafting

LG-007 Emergency lighting in buildings

◆ AS/NZS 2293.1 Emergency lighting and exit signs for buildings, Part 1: System design, installation and operation is in drafting.

◆ AS/NZS 2293.2 Emergency lighting and exit signs for buildings, Part 2: Routine service and maintenance is in drafting.

◆ AS/NZS 2293.3 Emergency lighting and exit signs for buildings, Part 3: Emergency luminaires and exit signs is in drafting.

ME-002 Gas cylinders

◆ AS 2030.1 Gas cylinders, Part 1: General requirements is in drafting.

◆ AS 2030.5 Gas cylinders, Part 5: Filling, inspection and testing of refillable cylinders is in drafting.

ME-062 Ventilation and airconditioning

◆ AS 4254.2-2012 Ductwork for air-handling systems in buildings, Part 2: Rigid duct The ballot closed on 25 August 2024.

◆ AS 4740 Natural ventilators—Classification and performance. Public comment closed on 1 October 2024.

◆ AS/NZS 3666.1 Air-handling and water systems of buildings—Microbial control, Part 1: Design, installation and commissioning is in drafting.

◆ AS/NZS 3666.2 Air-handling and water systems of buildings—Microbial control, Part 2: Operation and maintenance is in drafting.

◆ AS/NZS 3666.3 Air-handling and water systems of buildings—Microbial control, Part 3: Performance-based maintenance of cooling water systems is in drafting.

◆ AS/NZS 3666.4 Air-handling and water systems of buildings—Microbial control, Part 4: Performance-based maintenance of airhandling systems (ducts and components) is in drafting.

TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS

Below are recently published technical documents, which can be seen on the FPA Australia website: fpaa.com.au

◆ GPG-05 V1.1 Baseline Data for Routine Service of Fire Protection Systems

◆ GPG-04 V3 Fire Safety Statements

—New South Wales

◆ IB-24 V1 External Doorways: Fire-Resisting Doorset vs Normal Doors

Previously published technical documents under review include:

◆ GPG-01 V2 Specification and Application of Intumescent Coating Systems for Structural Steel

◆ IB-20 V2 When are emergency plans required?

◆ IB-17 V2 Changes to note on AS 1530.42014 reference in the NCC 2019

New technical documents in progress include:

◆ TAN-07 V1 Building Occupant Warning Systems & Intercom Systems Product Standards—NCC DtS

◆ GPG-XX V1 Speaker Layout Guide

◆ GPG-11 V1 Fire Hydrant System Ongoing Hydrostatic Testing

JOINING TECHNICAL COMMITTEES

FPA Australia encourages members to join our Technical Advisory Committees. Engaging with these committees not only contributes to critical outcomes but also presents an excellent opportunity for professional growth and networking. Are you interested in lending your expertise and insights on a committee?

Learn more on the FPA Australia website: fpaa.com.au

FIRE AUSTRALIA 2025 CONFERENCE

13–15 May 2025

International Convention Centre, Sydney

One of the most important conferences on the fire protection industry calendar, Fire Australia, returns to Sydney on 13–15 May 2025.

This two-day event brings together leading presenters from Australia and overseas, offering some of the most up-to-date and inspiring content, highlighting innovative solutions to the industry’s challenges, and showcasing an impressive array of new services and technology.

The program offers different streams of content, from the political to the practical, giving delegates an opportunity to learn new things and earn continuing professional development points in the process.

The Tradeshow Hall will showcase some of the best fire protection solutions the industry has to offer, and exhibitors will be delighted to demonstrate their innovations.

In 2025 the Fire Australia Conference and Awards Gala Dinner will be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Fullerton Hotel Sydney, where we will celebrate the best in the fire protection industry. It will be an evening full of entertainment, unexpected surprises, and opportunities to share a drink, network, and maybe even a dance with your industry colleagues.

For more information, go to: fireaustralia.com.au

LESSONS MANAGEMENT FORUM 2025

20–22 May 2025

Wellington, New Zealand

The Lessons Management Forum provides an opportunity for lessons management practitioners, those interested in this area, and those new to the area, to share good practice, learnings, and innovations.

Participants take part in a broad range of presentations and workshops from various jurisdictions and organisations, including military, health, and fire and emergency services. The program explores sharing lessons, including insights and lessons identified from experiences in an operational context. This may include outcomes from debriefs and outcomes from significant events.

AFAC25 CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION POWERED BY INTERSCHUTZ

26–28 August 2025

Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

AFAC25 Conference and Exhibition powered by INTERSCHUTZ is Australasia’s largest and most comprehensive emergency management conference and exhibition. Brought to you by AFAC, Deutsche Messe, the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia), and Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR).

The AFAC24 Conference and Exhibition attracted record attendance of more than 4,600 emergency management personnel. On rotation around Australia’s states, AFAC25 returns to Perth after seven years, hosted by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

For more information go to: afacconference.com.au

FPA AUSTRALIA EVENTS

FPA Australia runs technical events catering to the fire protection industry on a range of relevant and interesting topics. Covering the whole of the sector— wet systems, dry systems, passive fire, mechanical fire protection, special hazards, bushfire, and emergency planning— these seminars and webinars provide useful opportunities for practitioners to pick up continuing professional development points.

Presented by leading experts, our seminars and technical webinars provide all the information you need about relevant fire safety topics.

For a full list of upcoming events, visit: fpaa.com.au/events

To catch up on some of our previous events, visit FPA Australia+, where you can access technical content in your own time and at your own leisure, without having to interrupt your workday. Visit fpaaplus.com.au to browse our recorded webinars.

PHOTO: FPA

AUSTRALIA

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

ROB ROGERS

NSW RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers will retire at the end of the coming bushfire season, after almost five years leading the emergency service agency. Mr Rogers has been a member of the RFS for 45 years. He was appointed Deputy Commissioner in 2011 and Commissioner in July 2020.

Mr Rogers has played a key role at the national level as an AFAC Board and Council member, Australian Fire Danger Rating System Board Chair, and National Aerial Firefighting Centre Board Chair.

Senator Jenny McAllister was appointed Federal Minister for Emergency Management by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in July 2024. Senator McAllister was previously Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

Senator McAllister was born in Murwillumbah and grew up on the NSW North Coast. She attended the University of Queensland and the University of Sydney. She replaces Senator Murray Watt who has taken on the employment and workplace relations portfolio.

CFA Victoria CEO Natalie MacDonald retired from the organisation on 31 July 2024. She joined the CFA in February 2021 and is an experienced executive and board member with a demonstrated history of working in service delivery and government. She has developed skills in business planning and strategy, large-scale service delivery, capital works innovation and development, service reform and major change management, government relations and corporate services innovation, IT strategy, and management reform. Natalie MacDonald has been an AFAC Board member since October 2021.

RUSSELL SHEPHARD

AFAC Director Standards and Strategic Procurement Russell Shephard will retire in December 2024. Mr Shephard has an extensive knowledge with respect to the fire and emergency services industry, in particular the testing, compliance, and certification of PPE.

He was an active and well-respected member of Australian and ISO committees, including Chair of ISO/TC 94 Personal Safety—Protective Clothing and Equipment. Mr Shephard’s retirement marks a long career dedicated to the safety of firefighting personnel, including more than 25 years working with the development and revision of Australian and international Standards for firefighters and emergency services PPE.

CHRIS LARSEN (FPA AUSTRALIA)

Tel +61 431 900 712

chris.larsen@fpaa.com.au

ALANA BEITZ (AFAC)

Tel +61 3 9418 5233 alana.beitz@afac.com.au

PROTECTION ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA (FPA AUSTRALIA)

ABN 30 005 366 576 PO Box 1049 Box Hill VIC 3128

Australia

Tel +61 3 8892 3133

Fax +61 3 8892 3132 magazine@fpaa.com.au www.fpaa.com.au

ABN 52 060 049 327 Level 1, 340 Albert Street East Melbourne VIC 3002 Australia

Andrew Warton has been appointed the NT Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner following the agency’s split from the tri-service with police earlier this year. He had been the acting CEO for the service since 2 April, and was permanently appointed to the new role in July.

Previously Mr Warton served with the AFP in several Australian states and territories, and in a range of internationally based roles. His overseas service includes East Timor, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands, PNG, and Samoa.

NT Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) Chief Fire Officer Mark Spain has retired from the service. He was appointed to the position on 11 July 2016. Mr Spain joined the NTFRS Operations D Watch, Darwin in 1986 after completing his recruit program with the then Western Australian Fire Brigade.

Most of Mr Spain’s career has been with the NTFRS, having been promoted to Station Officer in 1994 and transferring to Operations B Watch before taking a two-year posting as the OIC of Jabiru’s Emergency Response Area.

LARSEN FPA AUSTRALIA TEL +61 431 900 712 magazine@fpaa.com.au

Tel +61 3 9419 2388 Fax +61 3 9419 2389 afac@afac.com.au www.afac.com.au PRODUCTION AND DESIGN: CORETEXT Tel +61 3 9670 1168 www.coretext.com.au

JENNY MCALLISTER

MARK SPAIN

NATALIE MACDONALD

ANDREW WARTON

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